Non-Competes

In 2014, the Massachusetts legislature failed to pass a ban on non-competes proposed by Governor Deval Patrick.

The Innovation economy is booming in Massachusetts, but non-competes will hinder further growth. Noncompetes make workers less likely to leave their jobs to found or join new companies. In a survey by MIT business professor Matthew Marx of 1,000 tech workers working with noncompetes roughly a third changed industries after leaving a job.

Noncompetes make Massachusetts less competitive with other states like California, which prohibit the agreements.